Chastity Tip

Here is some spiritual dynamite for all of us, as explained by Fr. Frederick L. Miller in his fine new book for priests from Ignatius Press, The Grace of Ars:

I recently heard a group of young married men speaking about how they deal with sexual temptations in their lives. Although I did not question them, I am certain they were referring to temptations such as impure thoughts, inappropriate glances, perhaps looking at pornography, or flirting with their co-workers. They explained that whenever they are tempted in any way, they seek, through grace, to reject the temptation, and they offer the mortification involved in overcoming their desires as an act of love for their wives and as a prayer for the chastity of their sons and daughters. What a wonderful application of Saint Paul’s spiritual principle: I die to myself, so that others may have life in Christ!

Priests and future priests would be well advised to embrace this practice. Whenever a celibate is tempted to violate his promise of celibacy in any way, he should consciously reject the temptation, offering the victory over self to God for those parishioners who are struggling with chastity. This is what Saint Paul means, I believe, when he says, “Death is at work in us, but life in you.”

Jeffrey Mirus holds a Ph.D. in intellectual history from Princeton University. A co-founder of Christendom College, he also pioneered Catholic Internet services. He is the founder of Trinity Communications and CatholicCulture.org. See full bio.

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